from the "Beatle Covers" column of "BEATLE NYTT", internal organ of Sweden's"The Beatles Information Centre" association (english translation courtesy of the author)


Oops, a completely new column! Sometimes you stumble across other musicians' interpretations [of the Beatles' music] that really put a different angle or add a personal touch to it - and not just doing a note-by-note imitation or a cash-in.

Fab Four-String Stefano Cerri
CD Compingo CCD9904 (Italy) © 1999
$20 via www.saintrock.com

How often have you heard a bassist doing a solo record? I'll tell you it's a real challenge, since the guitar is so much easier to play, and there are some of them out there doing good Beatles interpretations (read: Laurence Juber). But to play both the melody line and the bass line simultaneously - and do it on a bass guitar - directly to a hard disk without any overdubs? I must say I'm impressed. For me, to get the most out this album, I have to play it loud. But when I turn the volume down real low I find it pleasantly soothing or dreamy, almost a bit meditative.

It's 22 tracks in all, and my personal favourites are the beautiful It's Only Love, Julia, I Will and She's Leaving Home - all on just the bass. Best tracks, playing and interpretation-wise, is Strawberry Fields Forever, I Want You and And I Love Her - exclusively bass; You Never Give Me Your Money - bass and a beautiful vibraphone; I'll Follow The Sun - bass and a delicate piano. Among other exciting interpretations are Norwegian Wood played on bass and Italian bagpipe!

At http://www.compingo.com/html/english/p/frame.html you'll find samples from all tracks, unfortunately only in the Real Audio format.

The bass player Stefano Cerri was born on the same day as me, although in 1952 and in Milan, Italy. He was a self-taught bassist and worked for 30 years as a studio musician for international pop artists as Ramazotti, Brian Auger, Jon Anderson, Erika Cecchini and several other italian stars. He also played with his father Franco, Guido Manusardi, Tony Scott and several other famous jazz musicians. He left his mark on hundreds of recordings and was voted Italy's Best Electric Bassist for several years in succession, both by his audience as well as the music critics. This was his first solo record, which unfortunately also became his last. Stefano suddenly passed away when the promotion campaign for this record was starting up last year.

Robert Gille


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